BOYS GYMNASTICS: Permian settles for second place

ODESSA, Texas — SAN ANGELO The Permian boys gymnastics team had the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association State Championships team title within its grasp.

With two events remaining in Friday's optional round -- high bar and floor exercise -- the Panthers trailed first-place Saginaw by 2.1 points.

But a series of missed landings in high bar may have cost Permian a chance to lift the trophy inside Angelo State University's Junell Center. The Panthers finished in second place with 329.05 points, while Saginaw took the team title with 331.65.

PHOTO GALLERY: Permian at state championships

"I didn't know if we were going to catch Saginaw no matter what," Permian coach Jared Whiles said. "They're a really good team and because of which events were left, the point differential may have been a little deceiving."

The Panthers earned a 23.950 in the optional round of high bar, below their previous-day total of 28.950. In theory, the Panthers needed to earn a 29.55, which would ask the team's top three scorers to tally scores of 9.85 to tie Saginaw for first place.

Permian finished floor with a team score of 26.950 in the optional round.

"We gave all of our heart at this meet," Permian senior Trey Enriquez said. "Words can't explain how much energy we let out. It took everything from us to do what we did (Friday)."

Junior Caleb Vieth agreed.

"I've never been more proud of my team for fighting back," Vieth said. "We knew what we had to do to come back and that's what we aimed for. I felt like we scared Saginaw for a little bit."

Junior Brock Smith placed third in all-around competition with a two-day score of 110.150, while Enriquez finished eighth in the same category with a two-day score of 108.400. Vieth finished in ninth with a score of 108.400.

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Enriquez, Smith and Vieth also earned another chance to perform in the state meet, qualifying for today's event finals, which begin at 11 a.m. and feature the top 10 performers in each event.

Smith and Vieth qualified for pommel horse, rings and parallel bars, while Enriquez qualified for pommel and vault. Vieth will also compete in high bar.